|
Believe...
Sep. 15, 2008
Denali is now Homeschooled!
Well, I finally decided to just keep Denali home and school her. I am , as I suspected I would be, unhappy with the lack of education offered her in public school. I know she wanted to be a "regular middle school" kid, but I just don't like what she's NOT learned this year. I also have noticed many changes in her attitude. The last straw was a text message I recieved from my daughter Friday: "Mom, I may be late, we are on lockdown. " "WHAAAAAAT???" was my returned text message. Apparently someone robbed a 7-11 and ran with a gun to the Middle School. Terrific. I have never been so scared in my life. They caught the man. Still, I'm done. She's home learning with Aidan and I . She will really miss Dance and Peer Tutoring. I will try to find her a dance class. As for peer tutoring, maybe I can find a place for her to volunteer and help out kids with special needs. She will be starting at home full time next Monday. This week is the Iowa testing and it's required by law in this state.. so I decided just to let her take it at the middle school and then withdraw her. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Hug your kids a little closer today.. for today's world can be scary! I am thankful that Denali and the rest of the students are safe from Friday's scare. :)
|
Permanent Link
|
Sep. 11, 2008
Tilapia with Salsa Butter
What I made for dinner tonight :
Tilapia with Salsa Butter
Yummy fish with a kick! Fast and easy to prepare!
- Rinse fish and pat dry.
- Cut into serving sized pieces, if necessary.
- Set aside.
- In small bowl, combine butter, 1 tablespoon salsa, lime zest, garlic, and cumin.
- Place fillets in single layer on foil lined baking sheet with sides.
- Brush butter mixture over fish.
- Tuck under any thin edges.
- Bake at 400 degrees F for 10 minutes per inch of thickness or about 8 minutes until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
- Place on serving platter.
- Top with additional salsa if desire.
- Serve immediately.
|
Permanent Link
|
Sep. 11, 2008
Reason I am Thankful Today: Austin Walyn Ramsey
Well, my little brother just had his third son yesterday. Austin Walyn Ramsey :) I hope I will be well enough that our family can travel down to AZ to see them this Christmas. I sure love my little nephews! :)
   
|
Permanent Link
|
Sep. 10, 2008
Peaches, Pears and Yogurt, Oh My!
Well, on Saturday we got some peaches from the Farmer's Market. Aidan and I decided to try and make peach freezer jam. I've only made Strawberry freezer jam before and usually I make cooked peach jam. Well, it did not set. So today, I'm gonna try to fire it up and see if i can turn it into cooked jam. Also we have plenty of gooey ripe peaches left over for eating.. and my keyboard is sticky because of it, lol!
Aidan and I tried to make greek yogurt yesterday but it did not turn out whatsoever. Hmmmm not sure why. Back to the drawing board. I eat alot of yogurt due to the medications I am on. It would be nice if we could figure out how make it. Any ideas?
We have pear tree in the front yard and I asked Chris to pick some for me last week. They are now ripe enough to work with. My great grandfather used to make the most wonderful Pear Preserves. I remember well putting them on biscuits before and after church. Lucky for me, my great grandfather lived until I was 29 years old so I have many fond memories of him. Here is his recipe we are making today. Enjoy!
Pear Preserves
Into large kettle measure 5# sugar. Set aside. Begin heating 2C. water. Wash 6# ripe pears. Dont peel. Cut out blemishes, quarter, core, Cut into 1/8s. Do quickly just before boiling the syrup so they wont darken. Add 2C boiling water to sugar. Stir over med. Heat till syrup boils. Add cut pears about 2 cups at a time, then 4-5 sticks cinnamon (broken with masher so in long splinters) and 36 whole cloves. Continue cooking over low heat just hot enough to keep boiling. Cook for 1-1 ½ hours till pears are amber colored and bubbles are large. Remove from heat and put into jars/seal.
|
Permanent Link
|
Sep. 10, 2008
World of Warcraft
Ok, by now you've probably gathered that we are a very non traditional family. Some families go to movies together (and we do too.. sometimes.. like for Harry Potter, The Dark Knight, Star Wars, LOTR.. stuff like that.. the rest we see on DVD), others may scrapbook, do crafts, enjoy sports etc. Not our family. We are a family of World of Warcraft Addicts. Yes, you read that correctly.
My entry into the world of roleplaying games started young. Growing up with two younger brothers we played D and D alot. As a young adult I spent my weekends playing Magic The Gathering. This passed Christmas, with the help of my Mom, the kids recieved computers. Carson asked if he could download the WOW trial. Being the hands on Mom I am, I play everything my kids play and watch everything my kids watch. I also downloaded the trial and became quickly addicted. I am a T6 geared Alliance Holy Paladin and a "hard core" raider raiding Sunwell and Black Temple now. My kids are so proud. Lol!
Now every member of our family plays. On weekends we bring my husband's, my daughter's, and one of my son's computers to the kitchen table. My desk is right by it (although currently I'm using Aidan's computer because mine broke... added to Christmas wish list). This way we can play together without screaming across the house. Aidan is really big into making sure we have the snacks that we need to sucessfully play lol. Aidan has a level 65 Warlock he is so proud of. Carson has recently started over (had to ground him from the game for a while this summer), and is playing an undead rogue. Denali, my silly, frilly girl, will only play if the outfits look good on her Blood Elf hunter (yes.. she made a blood elf... I actually made one too to play with her.. and yes they are incredibly silly to play.. but.. at least she plays something with me). Broden even plays sometimes, in a controlled environment. He just likes shooting the pig creatures lol. I also have made Horde to play with my kids. I am loving leveling this Tauren Shammy and Undead Mage. Kinda fun to do DPS instead of heal, heal HEAL!
Now, before anyone gets judgemental on me, just stop now and keep your comments to yourself. We PLAY with our children. We know what they are doing, who they are with, and the kind of person they are being. My family loves playing this game together and it fits well with our "Sci-Fi Nut" type of group. The game also gives me incredible power. Text message inappropriately, grounded from WOW for a week. Backmouth much? No playing WOW today. What? I'm not fair? I never buy you anything? Well I guess i'll quit paying $14.99 a month for you to play WOW. Homework done? Yes, you may play for one hour. See what I am saying? And what a feast for the imagination this game is. Who knows.. I may have to make one of those bumper stickers that say "The Family that Raids together......."
|
Permanent Link
|
|
